Charles County, Maryland

History

Charles County was created in 1658 by an Order in Council. It should be noted that from 1650 to 1653 there was an earlier Charles County, sometimes referred to in historic documents as Old Charles County.

On April 28, 2002, a tornado cut through the County and destroyed much of downtown La Plata.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,666 km² (643 mi²). 1,194 km² (461 mi²) of it is land and 472 km² (182 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 28.33% water.

Cities and towns

This county contains the following incorporated municipalities:

1. Indian Head (incorporated 1920)
2. La Plata (incorporated 1888)
3. Port Tobacco Village (incorporated 1888) (Note that, despite its name, Port Tobacco Village is a town, not a village.)

All three are classified as towns under Maryland law.

Unincorporated areas are also considered as towns by many people and listed in many collections of towns, but they lack local government. Various organizations, such as the United States Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and local chambers of commerce, define the communities they wish to recognize differently, and since they are not incorporated, their boundaries have no official status outside the organizations in question. The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county:

1. Bennsville
2. Bryans Road
3. Hughesville
4. Potomac Heights
5. Saint Charles
6. Waldorf

Government

County Government

Charles County is governed by a board of five County Commissioners who are elected at-large to four-year terms. The County Seat is located in La Plata, Maryland.

Federal Government

Maryland is represented in the United States Senate by Barbara A. Mikulski (D) and Benjamin L. Cardin (D). Southern Maryland falls within the 5th Congressional District which is represented by Steny Hoyer (D). Hoyer also serves as the House Majority Leader, second in command to the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D) of California.

Schools

The Charles County Board of Education is responsible for the administration of the Charles County Public Schools.

High School

1. La Plata High School
2. Henry E. Lackey High School
3. Maurice J. McDonough High School
4. North Point High School
5. Thomas Stone High School
6. Westlake High School

Middle School

1. John Hanson Middle School
2. Matthew Henson Middle School
3. Mattawoman Middle School
4. Piccowaxen Middle School
5. General Smallwood Middle School
6. Milton M. Somers Middle School
7. Benjamin Stoddert Middle School

Elementary School

1. C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School
2. Berry Elementary School
3. Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School
4. Dr. James Craik Elementary School
5. William A. Diggs Elementary School
6. Gale-Bailey Elementary School
7. Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
8. Indian Head Elementary School
9. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School
10. Malcolm Elementary School
11. T.C. Martin Elementary School
12. Mary H. Matula Elementary School
13. Arthur Middleton Elementary School
14. Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School
15. Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School
16. Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School
17. J.C. Parks Elementary School
18. J.P. Ryon Elementary School
19. Eva Turner Elementary School
20. William B. Wade Elementary School

Colleges and universities

• College of Southern Maryland, located in La Plata.

Police, Fire, & Emergency

Police

1. Maryland State Police, Charles County Barracks
2. Charles County Sheriff

Fire

1. Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department
2. Benedict Volunteer Fire Department
3. Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department
4. Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department
5. Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department
6. Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department
7. La Plata Volunteer Fire Department
8. Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department
9. Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department
10. Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department
11. Waldorf EMS Station 3
12. Waldorf Fire and EMS Station 12
13. Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3

Parks & Recreation

1. Cedarville State Park
2. Chapel Point State Park
3. Chicamuxen Watchable Wildlife Center
4. Doncaster Forest
5. Friendship Farm Park/Boat Launch
6. Gilbert Run Park
7. Oak Ridge Park
8. Laurel Springs Regional Park
9. Purse State Park
10. Ruth B. Swann Memorial Park
11. Smallwood State Park
12. Southern Park
13. Thomas Stone National Historic Site
14. White Plains Regional Park
15. Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area

Churches

For a list of all churches, see http://somd.com/worship/.

Museums, Historic Sites & Churches

Museums

1. Maryland Indian Cultural Center
2. Afro-American Heritage Society Museum
3. Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House
4. Piscataway Indian Museum

Historic Churches

1. Christ Church, Durham Parish
2. Christ Church, Port Tobacco Parish
3. Christ Church, Wayside Parish
4. Mount Carmel Monastery
5. Nanjemoy Baptist Church
6. St. Ignatius Church and St. Thomas Manor House
7. St. Joseph's Church
8. St. Mary's Church
9. St. Peter's Church
10. Trinity Church
11. Outfields Chapel

Historic Sites

1. La Plata Train Station
2. Mount Carmel Monastery
3. Port Tobacco Courthouse
4. Port Tobacco One Room School
5. Smallwood's Retreat
6. Thomas Stone National Historic Site

External links

1. Charles County government
2. Charles County Tourism
3. Charles County Board of Education